First, group and combine like terms on the left side of the equation:
#2x + 12 - 7x = -2#
#2x - 7x + 12 = -2#
#(2 - 7)x + 12 = -2#
#-5x + 12 = -2#
Next, subtract #color(red)(12)# from each side of the equation to isolate the #x# term while keeping the equation balanced:
#-5x + 12 - color(red)(12) = -2 - color(red)(12)#
#-5x + 0 = -14#
#-5x = -14#
Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(-5)# to solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:
#(-5x)/color(red)(-5) = -14/color(red)(-5)#
#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-5)))x)/cancel(color(red)(-5)) = 14/5#
#x = 14/5#